Outdoor Entertaining: Host a Movie Under the Stars
I sometimes wonder if warm-climate areas enjoy summertime as much as we do, or if it’s extra special here just because, as Shakespeare put it, “. . . summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” I think that’s it. We know the days are numbered, so we pack it all in while we can, making the most of every spectacular summer day and night. That’s why, with August upon us, it’s time to think about what we have not yet done outdoors that we can do right now. I can’t think of anything better than gathering friends and family for a movie under the stars right at home. Let’s do it. Lights, camera, popcorn!
Now, maybe creating an outdoor theater sounds a bit daunting, but with a little creativity, you can do it. Think about using a balcony, a backyard, a deck, even a pool – the possible locations are endless. Include some food and drink along with some cozy seating and a little technology, and your outdoor theater will be a hit. If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor TV setup, the job is easy, but you can also go the projector and screen route. If you don’t want to splurge on an outdoor screen, simply stretch out a flat white bedsheet between two trees or deck posts or even hang the sheet on the side of the house. This will work just fine with your projector.
Once these essentials are established, work on the seating. Since the ground or the floor of a deck or porch might not offer the most comfy seating, layer up all the blankets and pillows you can find. Try using some pool floats for the kids. Beach chairs work well for the adults. Maybe go with pillows and blankets in the front, then pool floats behind them and beach chairs behind that to create a make-shift stadium seating. Gather all the stools you can find to serve as low tables for the drinks and snacks.
Now, what to watch? Choosing a movie is always tough, and you’ll need to read your crowd. If you are hosting families, go with a family-friendly favorite. My best advice is to not get too many opinions. They’ll never agree. I've included a list of some top movies to please all ages, and all worth repeat watching, so don’t let the cries of “we’ve seen it” put a damper on your pick.
With setup and selection complete, let’s talk about food. Obviously, popcorn is essential, but I’ll offer a bit more. How about some burger sliders and mini pigs-in-a-blanket with all the fixings available on a nicely arranged board? Seems I see new versions of charcuterie boards everywhere lately, so why not this?
Mini burgers and slider rolls, along with little hot dogs rolled in crescent roll dough, can be arranged with shredded lettuce, onions, pickles, condiments, small cheese slices and avocado on a board. Not only will it look impressive, but also this makes it easy for guests to serve themselves, and maybe kids will get a little nutrition before indulging in snacks.
Speaking of snacks, naturally popcorn takes center stage, and setting up a popcorn bar will be fun. Use a cart or table for your display. Provide popcorn bags or even large plastic cups so guests can fill and refill as necessary. Serve large tubs of buttered popcorn with an array of toppings. Offer some chocolate syrup and caramel sauce as well as lots of favorites for mixing in. M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, gummy bears, peanuts, and chocolate chips are all yummy choices. Adults might prefer some popcorn seasonings. I have a buttery spray that can be applied before adding the seasonings in flavors like white cheddar, sriracha, and chili lime. Guests can just spray and sprinkle seasoning on the popcorn for a tasty treat without all the sugar.
Finally, we need drinks. For kids, it’s best to choose juice or lemonade boxes so you won’t be washing every pillow and blanket you own. For adults, a warm August evening calls for a refreshing mojito, and nothing says summer like sweet watermelon. A frozen watermelon mojito with fresh mint will do nicely. You can prepare a couple of batches ahead and keep frozen, then garnish and serve as requested.
Now snuggle in with guests to enjoy the show while making some fun summer memories. Perhaps your movie setup was so successful, you’ll make this a weekly event. I hope so. After all, summer is short, so share lots of popcorn!
JEAN’S MOVIE PICKS
“Encanto”
“Luca”
“How to Train Your Dragon”
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”
“Finding Nemo”
“Jumanji”
“Inside Out”
“Matilda”
“School of Rock”
“The Sandlot”
“Ghostbusters”
“Toy Story”
“The Rocketeer”
“Cool Runnings”
“Mrs. Doubtfire”
“Up”
“Home Alone”
“Big”
“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
“Newsies”
“The Karate Kid”
Frozen Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients:
½ cup cubed and seeded watermelon, frozen
1½ ounces white rum
1 ounce club soda
¾ ounce frozen limeade
A few fresh mint leaves, chopped
Fresh mint sprigs and lime slice for garnish
Instructions:
Combine watermelon, rum, club soda, limeade, and mint leaves in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and garnish with mint sprigs and lime slice before serving.
Mini Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Ingredients:
1 package mini cocktail hot dogs (48 pieces)
2 packages crescent rolls
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Open each can of biscuits. Before unrolling, cut each roll into 1-inch pieces. Unroll each piece and cut into four strips. Roll dough around each hot dog, pinch to seal closed, and place seam-side down on a pan. Bake 12-14 minutes or until dough is browned.
